Niagara nightcap and nibble

Dear Reader,

For your kindness, encouragement, supportive comments and choice to return to the page, I thought it was only fitting for me to drink to you.

And so last night, I raised a glass of Henry of Pelham 2007 pinot noir in your honour, with its elegant structure and intense black raspberry, ripe pomegranate, tangy cranberry and clove spice flavour.

Still, in all its medium-bodied, oaky, silky and luxurious loveliness, it didn't quite capture the magnitude of my appreciation for you, dear Reader. And so I raised two more. Ironically while watching the movie, The Hangover.

The Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery is located on the premium grape growing land of Short Hills Beach - a United Nations biosphere - in St. Catharines, Ontario. The Speck family owners believe that fine wine is grown and not made, and so it takes low yields and tends its 170-acre estate vineyards with meticulous care. Only small volumes of handmade wines are produced to ensure the highest standards of VQA-stamped quality.

Now I firmly believe that quality begets quality. So it only made sense to pair this finicky, fickle, fine and fragrant wine with something just as special: cheese. Niagara Gold from the Upper Canada Cheese Company. And great gurnsey, this artisanal cheese is good!

Niagara Gold is an Oka-style semi-soft, washed rind cheese fashioned after recipes developed by the Trappist Monks of the Loire Valley. This is a cheese with nutty, earthy overtones and mellow, buttery flavours. I bought it at The Milky Whey fine cheese shop in Stratford, where owner Liz Payne carries a variety of lovely local cheeses.

A Niagara nightcap and nibble in your honour. Somehow it still just doesn't seem quite enough. Perhaps the bottle of Coyote's Run Estate Winery from St. David's, Ontario in the wine rack will repay my debt of gratitude later...

Hockey Day in Canada: Jan. 30 in STRATFORD!

I'm not even a hockey fan and I'm so freakin' excited about Hockey Day in Canada tomorrow, right here in beautiful snow-covered Stratford!

The celebration kicked off Wednesday and there have been so many fantastic things happening around the city to hail the Tim Hortons-sponsored event, including NHL alumni games and lunches, CBC radio broadcasts, school events - even a Randy Bachman concert at the Festival Theatre hosted by Ron MacLean.

Last night, Peter Mansbridge hosted The National on an illuminated Avon River, as cheerful skaters glided through the background. In fact, the frozen river has turned into a real-life Canadiana patchwork quilt with half a dozen ice rinks available for one and all to enjoy.

Wendel Clark was at Bentley's on Thursday for a book signing, the Stanley Cup visited the Stratford General Hospital and nursing homes, and there are various Hockey Hall of Fame art and trophy exhibits at the Optimist Club Hall.

Let me catch my breath...

There's a hockey homecoming dance tonight and my neighbour from down the road, Peter Mansbridge (he has no idea who I am), is back hosting The National again tonight.

Tomorrow is the main event, with even more excitement whirling around the city. I feel like I'm living in a beer commercial right now (funny how Canadian pride is synonymous with beer commercials), as I'm quite tempted to run down the street with my arms in the air screaming, "I AM CANADIAN" just to release some Canuck brouhaha.

I'm so proud of our little city of 30,000. I knew the summers were always rocking with tourists, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, not to mention Savour Stratford, Stratford Summer Music, Art in the Park and the Rotary Dragonboat Festival - heck, we're even hosting Canada 3.0 conferences so Canada can lead a global digital media revolution. And now our winters are jamming too.

Back to tomorrow - CBC will be broadcasting from the William Allman Arena throughout the day (where Wayne Gretzky scored his very first goal), there will be hockey clinics, a jamboree, a ball hockey tournament, "Proud to be a Hockey Mom" storytelling and photo ops with the Stanley Cup.

I'm volunteering at the Slow Food Perth County tent in the Kiwanis Centre parking lot where we're serving up warm and sumptuous "good, clean, fair" local food, including smoked and roasted pork on a bun with homemade baked beans and hot Wellesley apple cider. Slow Food approached the Chefs of Stratford with a challenge to cook up the best condiment so don't forget to vote.

Did I mention Don Cherry's coming to town?

The 10th broadcast of Hockey Day In Canada will be hosted by Ron MacLean (Don will deliver the spice) from the Allman Arena beginning at noon ET, and in addition to segments, there will be three all-Canadian NHL matchups, with Montreal at Ottawa kicking things off at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Saturday night games featuring Vancouver at Toronto and Edmonton at Calgary.

Yes, it's going to be friggin' cold, but we are Canadian and our pride (and tuques!) will keep us warm. So come on out to Hockey Day in Canada and bring your enthusiasm and love of the game.

Maybe I do like hockey after all?

The good ol' hockey game, it's the best game you can name...

'S' is for Scrabble. And Sarah!

Thursday P'lovers Series


A woman of words, I’m also a sucker for Scrabble.

Sure, I love learning more about language and developing new strategies for kicking my husband’s behind (ha!), but even at a sensory level, I love the feeling of those smooth little indented tiles between my fingers.

So I was absolutely delighted when I discovered beautiful, picturesque necklaces made out of Scrabble tiles at P'lovers. A miniature winter photograph on one side and a 'S' on the other (only worth one point but easily used to make a triple-word score) made a wonderful personalized birthday gift for my Scrabble-loving friend, Sarah.

What made me feel even better about the purchase? It's local.

Tansy & Co., established in 2006, is a handmade line of home decor, lighting, jewellery and art made by St. Catharines' photographer and designer, Sandy Middleton. The line, using Sandy's own images, ranges from table and ceiling lamps with handcrafted photographic shades, pillows, clocks, coasters, cards and jewellery. Today, Tansy & Co. is sold in more than 50 galleries and shops throughout Canada and the US.

Again, I ask: What's not to P'love? Now back to P'lovers to find me a 'T.'

Snacking on sunshine

I'm in another pickle...jar. This time it's Sunshine Farms' pickled asparagus from Thamesville, Ontario (between London and Windsor) and I should've considered taking the photo before opening them. These babies are addictive!

They're crunchy, earthy, fragrant and wholesome. They kinda squeak when you chew them and the spices are fantastic hosts to the party that will soon erupt in your mouth.

I also like the story behind Sunshine Farms and the evident humility of owners, John and Claudia Jaques. They started growing asparagus in 1982 and Claudia canned and pickled the produce for the family's consumption.

"Our sons, Josh, Ben and Adrian, just loved their mom's recipe for pickled asparagus. And, you know, you can't keep something like that all to yourself," John said on his website. "We gave some to our friends as gifts. Of course, they just kept asking for more and our business blossomed nicely from there."

Today, Sunshine Farms offers 23 types of pickles - from the more traditional variety to asparagus, beets, carrots, garlic, jalapeno peppers, beans and many more. Half its pickles are certified organic; all are Kosher. I bought my jar at Vincenzo's in Waterloo.

"We don't use preservatives, fillers or additives," John said. "All the vegetables are processed right away, fresh from our fields. You can taste the sunshine in them."

The Romans were onto something when they deemed asparagus a delicacy. They're a fantastic source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc, and an excellent source of fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, rutin, niacin, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium.

In fact, six little spears contain some 135 micrograms of folate, almost half the adult recommended daily intake, 545 micrograms of beta carotene, and 20 milligrams of potassium, which sure does make me feel better about devouring them in mass quantities.

Pickled asparagus from a lovely farm down the 401: guaranteed to offer you sunshine on the cloudiest day.

What's not to P'love?

P'lovers - short for 'planet lovers' - is Stratford's environmental department store, thriving in its new location at the corner of Erie and Ontario Streets. Its mission is simple: to help people live more sensitively with the earth.

Environmental enthusiast or not, you're going to love what this store has to offer. So from past posts I'm learning I have a thing with smell, but I must say this place just smells plain good for you! Perhaps it's because P'lovers only cleans with non-toxic materials (not to mention low-energy equipment). Or maybe it's because so many of its products are natural, organic, and even fair-trade certified. Could it be the wonderful assortment of eco-friendly bath and body products? For all one knows it could be the symphony of all these things working together in sustainable harmony - I don't know - but I do know this: if you want to make yourself feel good, follow your nose into this store. It offers and oasis of goodness that invokes pride with each purchase.

Cultural anthropologist, Margaret Mead, once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." I love this quote. It's something we all need to remember when the world seems too big to change. I don't know why it took me so long to figure out that the sum of all our small individual changes, absolutely, unequivocally, without a doubt makes a difference to each of us as well as the collective whole. It's win-win. There are many things I'm unsure of in this world but this I know is universal law.

P'lovers Stratford owners, Susan and JD Graham, agree.

"We believe the actions of each and every one of us can positively affect the quality of the world in which we live," they said. "By modifying our lifestyles, using our purchasing power to reflect our values, and supporting activities which respect and protect the diversity of life, we can make a difference."

P'lovers Stratford is one of five Canadian and one U.S. retail chains. Since P'lovers is committed to finding regional products, there are too many wonderful local products to include in one post! So I will be launching a P'lovers series every Thursday over the next few weeks. Please return for a planet-loving gander.

Next Thursday: Tansy & Co. handmade jewellery from St. Catharines, Ontario.

A Simple Photograph

For as long as I can remember, I've had this thing about putting photographs to music. Something about the combination makes my heart soar. On the last day of class before summer vacation, my high school would hold slide shows in the auditorium; a collage of photographs from throughout the year brought to life by music. I remember bubbling up with bliss as I watched, feeling a deep connection to people I didn't even necessarily like, sprouting this overwhelming urge to wrap my arms around my high school brothers and sisters, pull them in close and just love up on them!

Documenting life is important to so many of us. It takes us back to moments we may have otherwise forgotten, gives us permission to revel in the past and helps us share similarities and differences. Photographs, in all their glory, have a magical way of punctuating our existence.

Seven years ago, I stumbled upon a photographer so gifted, her work sings all on its own. She's local - currently resides in Goderich - but I know she's travelled all over to meet people who want to capture a treasured moment, feeling, or the hands of time in an exquisite photograph.

Her name is Erin Samuell and her company is A Simple Photograph. I've worked with Erin on a number of occasions, as have my friends. Last summer, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival even had her running around town snapping shots for its website and promotional material. No matter what you're looking for (wedding, family, corporate photos or other), Erin has a way of making you feel so at ease in front of a lens.

What's more, instead of charging by the photo, as so many photographers do, Erin gives you a complete DVD of all your photos so you can get as many copied as you like, wherever and whenever you want. She's also down to earth, heaps of fun to work with and creative beyond measure. I guarantee you will be blown away by the brilliance that emerges from a wee two-hour shoot.

Simply put, A Simple Photograph is a national treasure found right in our own backyard. Lucky us.

The joy of 'family'

This is a bit of a different blog entry today. Not about food, an amazing new haunt, or an artisan you just need to check out. Those will all come - I promise - but today I must admit I'm having a hard time seeing the abundance of joy that I know dangles before my dampened eyes.

A relative passed away yesterday. There was an accident, something that could've happened to any of us, and something no one thought would result in him moving from this life onto the next five short days later. But it happened, and in a most abrupt and disheartening way, reinforced the fragility of life.

Bryan was a poster child for the sum of a good man. Salt of the earth, humble, incredibly kind, loving, community-focused and ever curious about this earth and all the marvels it has to offer. He and his adorable wife parented six amazing children, each of whom continue to make this world a better place by sheer virtue of breathing and being themselves. My heart aches for them and what they're all going through right now. This is something no one can fix; time can only slowly heal.

Throughout this agonizing week, I have come to understand a couple fundamental truths. One: there is no greater joy, to me anyway, than family. 'Family' comes in many forms and blood doesn't strengthen this bond - the heart does. The people you call your 'family,' your 'peeps' in whatever way, shape or form that may be, will do far more for you than you could possibly conceive. They will rally behind you when you've lost your pep, celebrate the milestones and the seemingly mundane, and be your soft place to fall when the world beyond your door seems too cruel to face.

Two: there's something so beautiful, raw and honest about being accepted unconditionally. 'Family' has a way of unequivocally knowing - as clearly as they know the sun will rise - your good qualities that you may have a hard time seeing or accepting yourself. Masks, fronts or long sweatshirts that cover your growing behind aren't necessary because these people accept and love you for who you are, right here, right now. Dr. Seuss put it best: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

I have been blessed with people like this in my life who love me for me, standing still with my socks on. And for people who arrive into this world alone and must pass on to the next alone, is there any greater joy than sharing this sort of bond with another human being?

Nougat ist wunderbar!

I had one of those gong show mornings that started with stubbing my toe when I got out of bed. You know one of those domino-effect-gone-bad scenarios? I'll spare you the details but yap, that was my morning. Know what made it all better? German pastries!

Nestled between St. Mary's Hospital and downtown Kitchener, you will find a pretty little Queen Street shop called Nougat Bakery and Delicatessen. It specializes in fresh, quality foods that offer European flavours, atmosphere, and aromatherapy the moment you walk through the door.

While many of Nougat's products come from afar, you'll also find some locavore-friendly gems by way of meats, dairy, prepared foods and can we just talk about the bakery for a moment? Um... exquisite! Artisanal breads baked around the clock using old-fashioned methods with lots of wholesome, all-natural ingredients, without artificial preservatives or flavours. One little loaf of bread can take in excess of eight hours to prepare - my slow-food friends would be positively delighted!

But back to the pastries.

Since I was in Kitchener, known as Berlin until 1916 for its many German settlers, I thought it was only fitting to try some delicious blytterteig (that's German for pastry! Oh Google, my friend...) from ze old country.

The first: Bienenstich, or "bee sting cake," which earned its name when the inventor was stung by a buzzy little critter who became quite territorial about its sweet, almond-crusted honey topping. I can't say I blame him. In the middle of this cake has to be about three inches of soft, creamy mousse-like custard - so airy you'd swear it only had double-digit calories. All this nestled atop a beautifully flaky crust. I mean, seriously. Is this stuff legal?

And then there are the almond ring danishes. It almost looked like it was shaped in the form of a heart - or perhaps that was my infatuation at first sight. Light. Flaky. Sweet. Gorgeous.

To round out my Bavarian blowout (as in, the seams of my clothes were blowing out at this point but in my defense, I did share), German apple strudel, or Apfelstrudel, which is way more fun to say, especially if you accent the 'f' and roll your r's a bit. Gemuetlichkeit! That's another fun one to say. But about the strudel: irresistible. Flaky crust, almond-soaked cake bottom (that always reminds me of cherries, yumm) and chunky, fresh apple slices like nobody's business throughout. I'm exhausted with emotion just reliving it. Ugh. Seven more hours on the elliptical machine. But SO worth it.

Prost! To Nougat. And German pastries that make you so happy, you want to throw on a pair of lederhosen and bust out the chicken dance! (See, more calories taken care of right there).

Extreme caesar, anyone?

Here's a product that Vincenzo's in Waterloo has a hard time keeping on the shelf: The Extreme Bean, pickled hot and spicy beans created by Matt and Steve's Tasty Beverage Co. in Mississauga.

If you like 'crunch combined with zing' and want to feel good about getting your vegetables in January (from June to November they use Ontario beans), this product is for you. They are addictive on their own - I've been eating them since 8:30 this morning - or you can use them to garnish bloody caesars. Matt and Steve have found a way to take caesars to a whole new level: Extreme Caesar-dom. Here's how:

1) Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass
2) Pour your favourite caesar spices onto a saucer (perhaps you'd like to try Matt & Steve's glass rimmers). Dunk your glass rim first into the spices and twist. The lime will make it stick.
3) Carefully plop a few ice cubes into the glass and splatter them with Worcestershire and Tobasco sauces. The flavour infuses the ice this way.
4) Add vodka to your heart's content (you are your own liquor control board) and fill the rest up with Clamato juice.
5) Place one or two Extreme Beans into the glass so they shoot out like a straw. Sip (or guzzle) and enjoy!

The Extreme Bean has done for caesars what ketchup has done for french fries. Its hot zing sneaks up on you and its awesome crunch sticks with you to the end. I also hear they're great in martinis and on an antipasto plate. Or you can buy Extreme Bean Bites to add to nachos, pizza and burgers. Here's where you can find the product near you.

A bit of Canadian history about the caesar:
In 1969, Walter Chell invented the bloody caesar cocktail at the Westin Hotel in Calgary to commemorate the opening of Marco's, the hotel's Italian restaurant. Using its Italian cuisine for inspiration, he came up with a mixture of hand-mashed clams, tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper; then garnished it with a celery stick and named it for the Roman Emperor - a 'Bloody Caesar'. Later, with assistance from Chell, the Mott Company went on to develop 'clamato' juice. The popularity of the cocktail spread and today, about 250 million Mott's Clamato Caesars are created and consumed annually.

Sunshine in a jar

When you rise regrettably early on a Sunday morning to opal skies and an outdoor thermometer reading of -19 C, you have to do something to prevent yourself from running out the back door in your housecoat, tuque and untied boots, jumping onto the iceblock called the seat of your car, and hightailing it all the way to Florida without mere mention of your fandangled plans to a single family member.

Er something like that. To warm up and brighten your day and stuff. Sigh.

So this frosty January morning, I found solace when instead I walked my fingers through the pantry and landed on a half-pint jar of jellied sunshine: Moss Berry Farm Pure Apricot Jam.

I'm not a fruit preserve junkie like some of my relatives from across the pond, but something about apricot jam spread on warm, slightly buttered toast complemented by a hot cup of peppermint tea, was such a civilized way to greet the day. If only Coronation Street was broadcast that early in the morning.

Located at RR5 Embro, about 25 km from Stratford, Moss Berry Farm makes a variety of preserves from the best fruit available on the market for retailers across Canada. I bought my jar from Bradshaws in Stratford. Moss Berry Farm also offers farm kitchen samplings and tours, a gift shop, tea room, and nature walks through its 20-acre black walnut grove; it even caters lunches for 20 or more.

I have yet to tour this local hidden treasure - mostly for fear of facing the bitter outdoors right now - but I'm storing the idea in the back of my mind for a warmer Sunday afternoon drive.

Berry soon, I hope.

Blueberry muffins gone wild

Oh honey... it's difficult to write this post, but here goes...

If you haven't visited The Honey Tree Patisserie at 105 Albert Street in Stratford (tucked between Nile and Waterloo Streets), you haven't stepped into the techni-colour world of baked goods.

It smells like Christmas in there, you'll practically levitate when the aroma lifts you four feet off the ground, and its blueberry muffins? Quite possibly the recipe for world peace, if only we could learn to share. Slightly crispy, finely sugared domes are juxtaposed by soft, moist centres that burst with obnoxiously huge - yet organic - blueberries. (Antioxidants, people!) If you go on a Saturday morning before 10:30ish, there's a good chance you'll be able to get your hands on some (wise locals shop early) and they'll likely be warm and uber-aromatic.

If you've ever had a muffin at Balzac's, you've already tasted an overpriced one. These superb muffins pair gorgeously with a good stiff coffee and bountiful conversation.

So why is it difficult to write this post? It's the service. Every time I walk through the door, I get the impression I'm interrupting, and consequently annoying them with my 'paying customer' bit. It gives me a Seinfeld character flashback and I fear the day I'm shooed away and told "NO MUFFINS FOR YOU!"

But I can't stop going.

The food is too good! I've ordered cakes there for several different occasions and they're so tasty and delicious - I love cakes that don't taste too sweet. And their lemon and poppyseed loaves? Amazing. Don't get me started on the chocolate treats. They even have frozen logs of chocolate chunk cookie dough that you just thaw overnight in the fridge, slice and throw in a 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes. The result? Outstanding cookies every time, even for people like me who can't bake! I've served them to company who had no words, just near cross-eyedness and slow-chewing moans.

I'm telling you - this place is fantastic! If you can handle lousy service. Oh, and they also change their hours and take extended vacations with little or no warning (they're presently closed until January 19).

So mark your calendars for January 20 and head over to The Honey Tree Patisserie for some irresistible delights!

Who knows, maybe they'll return feeling a little sunnier?

Behold the Mint Smoothie

Whenever I eat good - I mean really good - chocolate, my face kinda sweats.

I don't think it's noticeable, but I can definitely tell. Has anyone else experienced this? I imagine it has something to do with arousal, but it's not exactly something I feel comfortable discussing with my doctor. Not that it happens enough for me to issue a concern. Once a day. Maybe twice. Okay, it has happened more often, but rarely!

While it's quite a peculiar phenomenon, I can't say I really mind. It allows me to gauge quality. Narrows the ranks. Separates the amateurs from the aficionados who sacrifice countless hours, energy and unbridled enthusiasm to produce a remarkable product.

Chocolate, in all its glory, has the power to transform even the darkest day into one where you have no choice but to close your eyes, throw your head back and sigh heavily as the words, "Life is gooood" escape from your lips.

Such a remarkable product lives here in Stratford, at Rheo Thompson Candies.

Walking through the tall double doors and inhaling will be worth your visit. I gain five pounds each time I do this, but I happily trade the extra minutes on the treadmill. I think there must have been some sort of clerical error in the midst of, well, a tempest, and what William Shakespeare intended to write was "Mint smoothies are such stuff as dreams are made on."

Now I know what some of you are thinking: "I don't like mint chocolate." I wasn't a huge fan either, having sampled those mint green coloured squares from another Canadian chocolatier. However, a Rheo Thompson mint smoothie is pure, digestible joy. If you haven't, you must try one. If you have, try more. Chocolate is good for you! And it could very well be the best $1.30 you ever spent (for an individually wrapped bar, which, by the way, is now available in dark chocolate).

It's local - you can find it at 55 Albert St in Stratford, and all 100+ products (beyond the mint smoothie, there are other delectable chocolates, fudge, hard candies and caramel corn) are handmade on site, from whole ingredients using dairy from local farms. Does it get any better? Oh yeah, and it's been in business for 40 years. Quelle surprise.

Rheo Thompson's mint smoothie: another feather in Stratford's cap.

It'll even put the glow in your cheeks.

Better than sliced bread

A warm, just baked loaf of sea salt, cracked pepper, lime zest and oregano bread - doesn't it just sound like something you could curl up and fall asleep with? This was my Saturday morning local treat and I found it at The Butcher and The Baker in Stratford's downtown core.

Many of us remember Luke Sheepers, the 'baker' of The Butcher and The Baker, as that friendly and eccentric owner of the former Breadworks. He may be working in a different building with new business partner, Rick Frank, but he continues to produce the best darn bread in town.

There's just something so wholesome and nurturing about bread. I'm not sure if it calls up a biblical reference for me, or if the smell reminds me of childhood innocence. What I do know is there's a reason why our real estate agent told us to bake a loaf before we had an open house years ago. The smell of freshly baked bread gets you every time. Did the house sell? You bet your baguette it did.

I like that Sheepers doesn't slice his bread either. Sure, it would be more convenient, but there's something meditative about slicing your own bread. Sawing through that golden crispy crust until you hit the soft supple inside that glides on the blade like a daydream on a cloud.

To pay homage to the sea salt, cracked pepper, lime zest and oregano combination, I built a beautiful sandwich. On one side I spread some mashed avocado laced with lime juice and salt. I layered it with juicy turkey breast, creamy havarti, a little onion, tomato, leaf lettuce and topped it with a bit of mayo and dollop of homemade salsa. It practically belted out Pavarotti ballads to me on a plate!

And like a lost love, my taste buds are still reminiscing about it today.

Sigh.